Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Together

We returned home just one hour ago from Ohio. As usual, the trip was relaxing and maybe even cathartic. This time around, the ever-familiar was peppered with some new friends, some old friends and a date with my Honey.

Right now, I'm droopy-eyed but smiley at the thought that Tuesday is grocery day. My soul is soothed by the ritual of planning meals for the week, inviting opportunities to try something new, seeking to love each one as I plate up the food, sometimes special, sometimes mundane, always born from the part of my heart that wants to scoop them up and hold them so tightly that they giggle and squirm all the livelong day. I wonder if they will realize down the road how I loved them one way extra at dinnertime.

Even if they don't, I'll keep flipping pages for something new. I'll imagine their roots growing deeper, their limbs stronger. I'll imagine lymphocytes that begin to behave, all of the time, because the little body is nourished.

I may hear "You're a good chef, Mommy", or it could just as well be, "You never cook things that I liiiiiiike!" It's alright. Pre-Schoolers have miles to go, and so do I.

We'll shop together and Ruby will ride the Penny Horse when we're through.

In the late afternoons, I'll stoop to pick up Silas over and over again while I chop and stir. Calvin will ask if he can help me. Ruby will color while she watches.

We'll stir and make messes and our love will bake up fluffy like a coconut cake.

31 comments:

I love cookin for my family! I love that my babies will remember mommy always made them banana bread and muffins for breakfast... I love that they will know I made tomato rice soup and bean burritos because I love them! I love that they love making the same Christmas cookies I made as a child every year ~ and I love making them try new things "because they might find a new favorite food" and I love it when my hubby loves his dinner and I made it!! weird? maybe. ;)

two things: Is the horse really only a penny? Are you really going to make coconut cake?

Your writing makes me feel HAPPY, I feel my roots growing stronger too, and I am encouraged to be a mommy who loves them extra at mealtime. Thanks for being a great example for me, the one who dislikes cooking (but loves baking)...(Why can't we just eat cake for mealtime?)

You are making me long for the good 'ol days. I can't wait to focus my attention on menu planning and daily rituals again. I'm rather burnt out on to do lists and tasks. I'm longing to cook and read and garden and be still and listen.

I'm glad you had such a wonderful trip home. You are so very lucky to have a place to go home to. But I know you know that.

You are one amazing young woman and your family is lucky to have you. Your mom must be very proud of you...and a wonderful teacher herself. When my girls were little, their Dad and I had gone to a home art party where the rule was you could "not yuk someone else's wow". So Dad instituted the rule at home, that you had to tell Mommy you didn't care for something....and NOT YUK her dinner!! Thanks for such a wonderful peak into your family's life. With all the discouraging news today, it is a breath of fresh air to read about your search to enjoy what life has to offer everyday. You are passing an amazing gift on to your children. Have a wonderful day!

Sounds picture perfect. Wish I had that warm fuzzy outlook on cooking in my house. It's usually me alone in the kitchen, making a big mess. Not one of my favorite things to do at all. Maybe I need to change my attitude:)

Sigh. Lately I've lamented that all my cooking effort is in vain. My kids are just as happy with spaghetti or sandwiches. Still, I keep at it...and hope that one day their sophisticated palettes will thank me! : )

You ARE a lucky Mama! Thanks for inspiring me to make something better than Mac & Cheese tonight. :) PS sometimes I sprinkle flax seed on the Mac & Cheese or Top Ramen or whatever and it kind of makes me feel better about serving it.

This is my first visit here, and I enjoyed reading. I found you via a link on my sister's blog (The Homespun Heart). I had to smile when I read your music preferences on your profile page. Minus Willie Nelson, I've listed the same ones! It's nice to "meet" you.